The Art of Creating a Timeless Home | Autumn Styling

Once upon a time, decorating for autumn used to mean dragging out bins of store-bought pumpkins, knick knacks, plaid & patterned toss pillows & throws. Anything and everything that screamed “autumn.” But over time, I’ve come to view this season a little differently. Now, it’s less about filling my space with things with things and more about layering it with warmth, texture, and intention.

Just as we move through seasons, so too, do our homes. When the air begins to cool and the leaves begin to drop, there’s this natural urge within us to hunker down and nest in. Over the years I’ve learned that, unlike squirrels burrowing away dropped acorns, autumn styling doesn’t have to be rushed. Instead, I find it’s the perfect time to pay attention to the details, like noticing how the light shifts as daylight fades faster, which spaces start to feel too bare, and where you naturally gravitate as evenings stretch a little longer.

Before bringing in anything new, I like to simply observe my space. Where can I add warmth? Where do I need more light? Sometimes all it takes is adding the heavier down duvet to the foot of your bed, draping a wool throw over your favorite seat, or moving a lamp to a darker corner to make a room feel layered, cozy & warm.

For me, design has always been about invoking the senses and so that’s where I begin when considering autumn styling. The soft flicker of candlelight in the evening, the weight of a blanket as you curl up before a fire, the earthy scent of the last of the summer herbs drying in the kitchen. To me, those are the things that make a home feel like autumn.

How I Layer for Autumn

When I think about styling my home for autumn, I like to think in terms of layering, not in seasonal themes that require frequent purchases to buy this year’s latest trend in this year’s hottest color. Instead, I like to add that seasonal coziness & warmth through texture, tone, and light rather than trendy decor pieces or color palettes. This also allows me to collect & refine with pieces that feel like reflections of myself, my partner and our home, adding those pieces that resonate and letting things go when we’ve shifted and outgrown them.

1. Start with textures
   I find autumn to be the most textural of all the seasons. This is the time where I like to swap out the lighter spring & summer cottons, linens and weaves and bring out the wool or cashmere throws, the (faux) fur toss pillows, the velvet draperies. These materials feel soft under hand and invite you to linger a moment or two longer. Even a small change like adding a sheepskin rug  beside your bed can shift the feeling of a room. This also works beyond textiles too. Consider adding a collection of aged brass candlesticks with dripping wax candles to a table scape or mantle or incorporate more rustic wood cutting boards to lean against your backsplash. I like to think of decorating with textures in those items I’m going to reach for and use every day, rather than in curating knick knacks that simply take up space. 

2. Soften the palette
   Autumn doesn’t have to equal bright pumpkin orange and fire-engine red. I prefer to mute & muddle everything down, using the natural world around as inspiration. Shades like terracotta and plum, the buttery yellow of fallen leaves, olive, rust, & ivory feel timeless and earthy. If your home is more neutral like mine, you can play with variation by mixing and matching these colors in collected artworks or textiles. This subtle swapping of color palettes to better match the season keeps things warm without being overbearing toward one trend or another.

3. Layer the light
   I feel like all of autumn has that perfect golden hour hue and I like to use it to my advantage by incorporating multiple light sources from table lamps, sconces, candles, even using reflective metals & strategically placed mirrors that bounce light around the room. My house rule is simple: never, ever, ever turn on the “big light” aka: overhead lighting. Unless I’m in the kitchen working on a recipe, the goal is glow, not glaring brightness.

4. Bring nature in
   My favorite thing about autumn: the best decor this time of year is free. Whether that’s foraged branches, a bowl of apples, or a wintering pot of herbs from the garden, it’s these natural pieces that help ground your space and connect you to nature even as temperatures drop. I’ve always been a believer that homes feel better when they reflect what’s happening just outside the window, personally I find it’s the bridge between the built & natural world that help keep us connected to the seasons.

5. Edit intentionally
   This might be the most important and controversial part: you don’t need to style every surface. Choose two to three places to focus your attention and leave the rest be. It’s just as important to let your eyes rest so create breathing room by leaning into negative space. The stillness is part of what makes autumn so restorative.

The Autumn Styling Edit

I hope these tips have helped inspire you as you begin to shift your home for autumn. If you’re looking to layer your own home for the season, I’ve curated a small selection of pieces that reflect how I’m styling mine right now with pieces that feel warm, textural, and timeless.

Think of it as my personal mood board for autumn:

• Warm Woods: Rustic trays, carved bowls, vintage cutting boards.

• Layered Lighting: Ceramic lamps, brass candleholders, taper sets.

• Textural Neutrals: Wool throws, stoneware vases, linen runners.

• Organic Touches: Dried florals, clay pots, natural centerpieces.

Each item was carefully curated to feel lived-in and lasting; not just for autumn, but for any season where you crave warmth and comfort. You can explore the full collection in The Shoppe, where I’ve gathered my favorite finds for creating a grounded, soulful home this autumn and for seasons to come.